Yes!

This afternoon there were two very popular games at Koshien Stadium. The first was between Chiben Wakayama and Konan. Chiben Wakayama are a strong team and fairly local. Chiben won. Yes! Unfortunately, the stadium was packed and I wasn't able to get in.

The Chiben game was followed by the big one; Osaka Toin against Maiko Shoin from Totori. Osaka are the big local team and last season's champions. I queued with hundreds of fans outside the stadium and, thankfully, I managed to get into the stadium and quickly find a seat during the second inning. Yes!

It was a great game. Toin didn't give Shoin a chance. Shoin only managed to hit three balls into play during the whole game. Toin's pitching was incredibly strong with many strikeouts. Shoin made zero errors and Toin only made one; but what an error it was! A Shoin player hit what should have been a two base hit but when he got to second base, he looked around to see the ball apparently abandoned mid-field. Unable to believe his luck, he put his head down and ran all the way home.

The game ended with Toin scoring eight points to Shoin's one. Yes! On the strength of today's game, I think we might well be seeing Osaka Toin in the final again. Go Toin!